IVC filter with translating hooks

Abstract

A filter with translating hooks is described. The filter can include strut members having first and second struts connected by a connecting portion. A translating hook is disposed adjacent the connecting portion of the strut members, the hook including a first elongate member attached at one end to the first strut and a second elongate member attached at one end to a second strut, the opposite ends of the elongate members connected together to define a tip. The translating hooks are configured to bend toward a central axis of the filter when the filter is in a collapsed configuration for delivery to a blood vessel and recovery from a blood vessel, and away from the central axis of the filter when the filter is in an expanded configuration within a blood vessel such that the hooks engage a vessel wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A filter comprising:
 a first crown and a second crown each comprising: 
 a body including a plurality of strut members disposed about a central axis to define an outer perimeter, each of the strut members including a first strut and a second strut, 
 the body having a first outer perimeter in a first configuration and a second outer perimeter larger than the first outer perimeter in a second configuration; and 
 a hook disposed between the first and second struts of at least one of the strut members, the hook having a first elongate member connected to a second elongate member to define a tip, 
 the first elongate member having an end portion coupled to the first strut and the second elongate member having an end portion coupled to the second strut so that
 in the first configuration, the tip is oriented toward the central axis in a first direction, and 
 in the second configuration, the tip is oriented away from the central axis in a second direction, 
 
 wherein the first crown connects to the second crown. 
 
     
     
       2. The filter according to  claim 1  wherein an included angle is defined by the tip between the first and second directions of less than 180 degrees. 
     
     
       3. The filter according to  claim 2  wherein at least one of the body and the hook is made from a material that is any one or any combination of shape memory material, alloys, super elastic material, super elastic shape memory material, Phynox, Conichrome, titanium, or stainless steel. 
     
     
       4. The filter according to  claim 3  wherein the first and second struts of the strut members are connected by a connecting portion at one end. 
     
     
       5. The filter according to  claim 4  wherein a distal end portion of the strut members is oriented toward the central axis. 
     
     
       6. The filter according to  claim 5  wherein a surface of the body has disposed thereon an anti-stick material. 
     
     
       7. The filter according to  claim 6  wherein the body comprises a set of legs, each leg attached at a proximal end thereof to a filter head and at a distal end thereof to a first strut of one strut member and a second strut of an adjacent strut member, the legs having a greater length than the first and second struts of the strut members. 
     
     
       8. The filter according to  claim 7  wherein the body comprises a first set of strut members and a second set of strut members, each set of strut members attached at a proximal end thereof to a filter head, wherein the first set of strut members have a greater length than the second set of strut members. 
     
     
       9. The filter according to  claim 8  wherein an inner surface of the second set of strut members is adjacent an outer surface of the first set of strut members. 
     
     
       10. The filter according to  claim 9  wherein the hook connects the first strut to the second strut. 
     
     
       11. The filter according to  claim 10  further comprising a plurality of arms extending radially about the longitudinal axis to assist in centering the filter. 
     
     
       12. A method of anchoring and recovering a filter in a blood vessel, comprising:
 introducing the filter of  claim 1  into a blood vessel, and 
 expanding the crowns to direct the tip of the hook away from a central axis defined by the filter body such that the tip of the hook engages a wall of the blood vessel. 
 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 12  further comprising compressing the crowns to bend the hook towards the central axis and separate the hook from the blood vessel wall. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13  wherein the compressing comprises retracting the filter into a recovery catheter. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 14  wherein the introducing comprises inserting the filter into a delivery catheter having an inside surface defining an inside diameter of less than 9 French with the hook spaced apart from the inside surface of the catheter. 
     
     
       16. The filter of  claim 1  wherein
 a strut member of the first crown has a first crown vertex between the first strut and second strut and a strut member of the second crown has a second crown vertex between the second strut, and 
 wherein the first crown vertex connects to the second crown vertex through a connecting member. 
 
     
     
       17. The filter according to  claim 16  wherein the first and second crowns each comprise a retrieval member. 
     
     
       18. The filter according to  claim 17  wherein the body comprises legs, each of the legs having an end joined at a hub and a second end attached to one of the first and second struts of the strut members.